Young nurse tries to set herself ablaze after sexual harassment

LAHORE: A young nurse of Rural Health Center Kahna Nau tried to set herself ablaze on Friday in front of Lahore Press Club after none of the Punjab government officers heard her complaints related to sexual harassment by a doctor working in her office.

Some locals of the area, media persons and police officials on duty caught her immediately when she was pouring petrol on herself and tried to set herself ablaze. A large number of citizens and police officers gathered on the spot after the incident and rushed her to a nearby hospital where her condition was said to be out of danger.

According to details, a young nurse namely Sajida Parveen Dar, resident of Sheikhupura, was working as Charge Nurse on ad hoc basis since July 5, 2010 at Rural Health Centre (RHC), Kahna Nau. She had been coming to the Lahore Press Club for the last three days and protesting against administration of the RHC, Kahna and the EDO Lahore.

On the day of the incident, she was protesting against In-charge of RHC of Kahna and also demanded of the Punjab government to provide her one-year salary, job and life security.

While talking to the Daily Times, she stated that after a few days of her joining, Dental Surgeon (BDS) Atif Hanif of the RHC tried to develop illicit relations with her. When she refused, he started threatening her with dire consequences and even dismissal form the job.

In her application submitted to the Chief Minister she said: “Doctor Atif said how dare you refuse me, Atif Hanif of Chaman Ice Cream (the accused doctor is the son of the owner of Chaman Ice Cream as well as the husband of an influential woman, namely Kalsoom, an officer in the DCO’s office). We sent ice cream and dry fruit to all officers so they are with me. Even the chief minister can do no harm to me.”

Sajida said that aaccused Dr Atif Hanif also threatened her with abduction and even murder if she didn’t accept his evil wishes. She said that using his influence and the status of his wife, the DCO officer, Dr Atif manage to stop her salaries and therefore she could not even get a single penny as salary even after service of one year besides not managing to get extension in her one-year job contract. She said that all 35 nurses who joined the government service along with me have had their contracts extended but I am still waiting for my one year salary as well as a new job contract.

She has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and LHC Chief Justice Ejaz Chaudhry to provide her security, clear all her dues as well as extend her job contact besides booking the culprits.